–Slide in natural gas futures extends to a fourth straight session –Supplies are above five-year-average amid forecasts for warmer temperatures, high production –Traders waiting for first real cold snap, consultant says By Brett Philbin NEW YORK–Natural gas futures slid for the fourth straight session Thursday after a government inventory report showed a supply glut, booming production and an uncertain weather forecast at the start of the winter heating season. Natural gas for December delivery settled 3.9 cents lower, or 1.1%, to $3.581 a million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices have declined roughly 4% this week as market participants are fearful that temperatures could stay above normal next month. “Right now it’s a waiting game,” said Richard Soultanian, co-president of NUS Consulting Group, a Park Ridge, N.J., energy consulting firm. “There is no fundamental reason to see a sustainable increase in the price of natural […]